MOUNT VERNON – Runs were tough to come by against Illinois College pitching Saturday as the Rams dropped both ends of a Midwest Conference doubleheader – 5-0 and 7-1 – at Van Metre Family Softball Field.
Cornell (10-18 overall) slipped to 2-7 in league play, while the Lady Blues (21-15 overall) extended their winning streak to eight games and jumped to first place in the MWC at 10-2.
Sophomore pitcher
Lexi Ellermeier went the distance for the Rams in Game 1. She allowed four hits and two runs in the first inning. Ellermeier then settled in and limited the Lady Blues to four singles the rest of the way.
Cornell's
Brianna Risley broke up Jordan Closs' no-hit bid with a sharp two-out single to left in the fifth.
Alexa Corona,
Corrin Kennedy and
Lilly Dierkes added one hit apiece for the Rams.
The Rams were also held to four total hits in Game 2, which saw Illinois College take early momentum during a three-run first inning. The Lady Blues benefited from two unearned runs in the frame.
Trailing 7-0 in the sixth, Cornell tallied its first run of the day on a double-play groundout by Dierkes that scored Corona.
The Rams received one hit apiece from Corona,
Brooke Furman,
Peyton Souhrada and Risley.
Cornell pitcher
Hannah Rhoades surrendered seven runs – four earned – and 11 hits over six innings. She struck out three and walked none.
Coming up – The Rams travel back to Ripon, Wis., Wednesday to complete the April 13 suspended Game 2 against the Red Hawks with the score 4-4 in the top of the sixth inning. The game will resume at 5:30 p.m.
